Built in 1901-1902, the Madlener House is the work of architect Richard E. Schmidt and designer Hugh M. G. Garden. Recognized for the quality of its architectural design, the 9,000-square-foot Prairie-style mansion features compact, cubic massing related to German Neoclassicism in addition to details that reveal the influence of Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright.

During the Madelener House's 1963 renovation, Daniel Brenner transported elevator grills designed by Louis Sullivan from the Stock Exchange Building to the new library. This was the start of a growing collection of architectural fragments from famous Chicago buildings. In 1987, architect John Vinci installed a permanent display of fragments in the courtyard.

Situated in the Madlener House’s former kitchen, the Graham Foundation’s non-lending library showcases hundreds of books funded by its grantmaking initiatives, from the beginnings in 1956 to recently published titles. In the former dining room, a new bookshop contains a specially curated selection of architecture and design books and periodicals.

The Madlener House was built for Albert and Elsa Madlener, a young couple whose families emigrated to the United States from Germany and made their fortunes in the brewing and distribution business. With their reputation for gracious entertaining, it is said that invitations to the Madlener’s home were never refused.

With galleries throughout the three floors of the Madlener House, the Graham Foundation has presented an important program of exhibitions relating to architecture and design for over 50 years. Events and lectures from grant award recipients and distinguished members of the architecture, art, and design community are held in the house’s third-floor ballroom.

While touring the Graham Foundation’s exhibitions, visitors notice a uniquely elaborate fireplace in almost every room of the Madlener House. For the front fireplace in the entrance hall, Belgian sculptor Albert Van Den Berghen designed the bronze relief entitled “Spirit of the Waves,” representing Lake Michigan.

Created from a bequest from architect Ernest R. Graham of the prestigious firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, the Graham Foundation has funded groundbreaking projects in architecture and design for over 55 years. Notable recipients include Rem Koolhaus, Buckminster Fuller, Ada Louis Huxtable, MoMA, IIT, and the Center for Advanced Visual Studies at MIT.

For two seasons a year, the Madlener House ballroom hosts experimental music performances presented by Lampo. Founded in 1997, this Chicago-based organization brings internationally-recognized composers and musicians working in electronic and electroacoustic music, free improvisation, sound art, and other new forms to local audiences.

The Graham Foundation makes project-based grants to individuals and organizations that explore innovative, thought-provoking investigations in architecture; architectural history, theory, and criticism; design; engineering; landscape architecture; urban planning; urban studies; visual arts; and related fields of inquiry.

In 1963, architect Daniel Brenner renovated the Madlener House to accommodate the Graham Foundation’s philanthropic and educational activities. While making minor changes, Brenner showed consideration for the special quality of the building at a time when architectural preservation was only beginning to be appreciated.